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TYLER — U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced Friday that 13 Longview residents have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Gregg County area. An 18-count sealed indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Tyler on May 11, charging the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Some defendants were also charged with multiple counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm or possessing a stolen firearm. A task force of federal, state and local law enforcement officers began arresting those individuals on May 16.

Those named in the federal indictment are Spencer Garod Elam, 37; Derek Lamar Elam, 36; Darrell McGuail Washington, 47; Jefferson Jonathan Taylor, 28; Derek Monte London, 30; Demarcus Antwuan Talley, 29; Kelvin Earl Washington, 34; Korri Dewayne Boyd, 33; Latasha Ann Washington, 30; Dwight Anthony McKinley, 37; Roderick G. Jackson, 23; Lakendrick Carl Freeman, 26; and Willie Thedric Andrews, 27. All except Freeman, Jackson, Latasha Washington, and Talley face additional firearms charges.

If convicted, the defendants each face up to 10 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to life for the firearms violation. Those charged with additional firearms violations face up to 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of cash, firearms, and ammunition.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested the woman allegedly involved in a May 7 robbery case at Kohl’s Department Store. The suspect is 49-year-old Teresa Ruth Coble of Tyler. Coble was arrested Friday morning after pre-arrangements had been made by investigators for her to turn herself in. She was charged with robbery and is in Smith County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Police say Coble entered the store and selected several clothing and jewelry items. According to police, she then entered a fitting room and concealed the items in a black and brown colored purse that she brought into the store, as well as a red purse that she allegedly took from the store. Police say after leaving the fitting room, Coble exited the store without paying for the merchandise.

Authorities say as Coble walked to her vehicle, she was contacted by a Kohl’s loss prevention employee. The loss prevention employee reportedly asked Coble to return to the store with the stolen items. According to police, Coble refused and continued to walk to her vehicle. Police say Coble was seated in her vehicle with the stolen property belonging to Kohl’s. Authorities say she then backed out of her parking space and drove directly towards the loss prevention employee, allegedly striking the employee’s right hand with the vehicle. Police say Coble then exited the parking lot and drove southbound on S. Broadway. The loss prevention employee received only minor injuries to her hand.

GILMER — A man is in serious condition in a Tyler hospital after losing one leg and injuring another when he was struck by a train in Gilmer. According to Gilmer police, the man was sitting on the railroad tracks near Roosevelt Park when he was struck by a passing train sometime before 11 p.m. Thursday night. Police said they believe the man was intoxicated at the time he was struck by the train. The man was air-lifted to a Tyler Hospital. His name has not been released and the investigation continues, police said Friday morning.

TYLER — A 61-year-old Fort Collins, CO man pleaded guilty to federal tax violations in the Eastern District of Texas Friday. Randall Craig, formerly of Bullard, pleaded guilty to failing to file a federal income tax return on May 19, 2011. According to information presented in court, Craig failed to file a federal income tax return for 2003 and pay the income tax due for that year by April 15, 2004. Craig was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 16, 2011 and charged with the tax violation. Craig faces up to one year in federal prison.

TYLER (AP/Staff) — The Smith County district attorney explains his reason for arranging a plea deal for six adults accused of participating in what prosecutors say was a sordid swinger’s club. Judge Jack Skeen ruled that the defendants be sentenced to time served and then freed in the case, in which children as young as 5 were forced to perform sex in Mineola. The three men and three women pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of injury to a child in an unexpected end to a 3-year investigation. Three of them previously were sentenced to life in prison, only to have their convictions overturned. District Attorney Matt Bingham said he still believes the defendants deserve life in prison but offered the plea bargain for the sake of the child victims. They will not be required to register as sex offenders.

Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly, Shauntel Mayo and Jamie Pittman had previously been sentenced to life in prison — Kelly for aggravated sexual assault of a child, and Mayo and Pittman for organized criminal activity. Mayo and Pittman had their convictions overturned. Only Dennis Pittman, who’s appealing his life sentence, didn’t reach a deal.

GLADEWATER – A Union Grove High School English teacher has resigned after being charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student. Arrested Thursday morning was Angela Sue New, 38. She was placed in the Gregg County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.

School superintendent Brian Gray said the investigation started after allegations were made. New is accused of being involved with an 18 year old Union Grove student. According to the arrest record, the incident occurred on April 22nd. The investigation was turned over to Gladewater police, who issued an arrest warrant. She was arrested by police from White Oak, where she lives.

WINNSBORO – A state district court jury in Wood County has begun deliberations in the murder case against Ty Jordan Evans, 20, of Longview. He is accused of the May 2009 drive by shooting that killed Anna Marie Moore, 24. She was sitting on the couch playing with her two children when the shooting occurred. This is the second trial for Evans in the case. In January a mistrial was declared when the jury couldn’t reach a decision.

A second suspect is also charged in the case. Demarcus Hearn, of Longview, who turns 23 next Monday, is awaiting trial.

TYLER – The Tyler school district’s new Athletic Director will assume his new duties on Monday. TISD school trustees Thursday night hired Rodney Kaspar as Director of Athletics. He succeeds Danny Long. Kaspar has more 30 years of coaching experience. He comes to Tyler from McKinney, where he has been Assistant Athletic Director.

TYLER – Tyler school officials are considering using a different camp for its outdoor education. For over years 60 TISD has been associated with Camp Tyler. But a vote could come next month that would change that.

At Thursday night’s meeting Jeff Collum, Executive Director of Student Services, presented school trustees a comparison of the Camp Tyler and Pine Cove facilities. They were compared in program availability and costs associated with each facility. According to Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, Pine Cove was selected for the comparison because the facility has contacted the District wanting an opportunity to be considered for services. Sky Ranch had requested the opportunity as well and it was decided to use the costs associated with Pine Cove because it was financially lower than Sky Ranch.

The cost per camper for Camp Tyler is $200. For about 1400 students, the camp cost would be $286,000, which does not include additional costs of transportation, teachers needed to spend the night, and a shared arrangement to provide a nurse. Pine Cove offers a discount for Title I campuses, and 13 Tyler ISD elementary campuses qualify for this discount rate of $75. For non-Title I campuses the cost is $158 per camper.

Difference of the financial analysis is a cost savings of approximately $150,000.00. TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid added it is not the cost that determines the selection but the value the district receives from the facility.

LINDALE — New trustees for the Lindale Independent School District have been sworn into office. The oath was administered at Thursday’s school board meeting. Kenneth Cline was sworn into office for Place Three and Kelly Cox was sworn in for Place Four. In the picture, Judge James Cowart (middle) swears Kelly Cox (left) and Kenneth Cline (right) into office at yesterday’s LISD school board meeting.

Cline defeated longtime school board member Joe Rodriguez, Jr. by a vote of 546 to 487 in the May 14 election. Cox defeated opponent Dr. Howard Beggs by a vote of 789 to 249. Cox replaces Edward “Buddy” Munn who did not seek re-election.

Rodriguez was presented with a special plaque to commemorate his years of service to the Lindale ISD. Rodriguez had served on the school board since 1999. Munn was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting but will be presented his plaque by district staff at a later time. Munn served on the school board for 12 years, twice serving as board president.

New trustee officers were also voted on at Thursday’s meeting. Brig. Gen. James K. “Red” Brown will retain his position as board president. Matt Watts will serve as vice president in place of Tim Clemmons who nominated Watts for the position. Mike Combs will remain secretary.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau has seen a spike in the volume of inquiries regarding door-to-door alarm sales companies that have hit the streets in both the Longview and Tyler areas. While it is not typical to see this kind of activity in the spring, BBB expects an increase in door-to-door activity during the summer months, as many companies use students on their summer break from school to conduct door-to-door sales.

“Texas law requires any person who offers and/or provides investigations or security services to be properly licensed; those without a license are liable for criminal penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “What many consumers don’t know is that there are also penalties for hiring or employing an unlicensed alarm system company.”

One victim claims she told the salesperson that she lived in a safe neighborhood and did not need an alarm system at this time. A few days later, she came home to find her door kicked in. Later that afternoon, that same salesperson returned to ask if she had changed her mind.

While the bureau says most alarm companies employ ethical selling practices, BBB advises consumers to use caution and to be aware of the following tricks of those companies who operate dishonestly:

Trick # 1: Don’t count on the salesman in your house being licensed with the state.

Alarm salesmen can work under a licensed salesperson for up to one year before they have to be licensed themselves. In many instances, there is one licensed salesman in the neighborhood “overseeing” the other salesmen. The licensed salesman will generally pop into the house at some point during the sales pitch in order to show that he was present to support the unlicensed salesman. This is not acceptable. Under Texas guidelines, the licensed salesperson must remain for the entire presentation.

Trick #2: Getting rid of your old equipment.

Once an alarm system is sold to a consumer with an existing system, it’s likely the equipment will end up in the trash. The downside to this is that you might not actually own the equipment. In many cases, the existing equipment is leased. Expect to continue to receive a bill for the old equipment even if it’s already in the dumpster.

Trick #3: You’re not under any obligation to your existing alarm company.

Another deceptive practice used by unethical alarm companies is to tell the consumer that their original contract has expired, and are therefore under no obligation to the existing alarm company. Standard procedure for these types of contracts is for them to automatically renew after the initial contract is completed. In order to terminate the renewal, notify the existing company in writing thirty (30) days prior to the auto-renewal date. Otherwise, once the new alarm system installed, it’s possible you’ll either receive a bill from both companies until the end of the contract, or be obligated to pay a cancellation fee.

Don’t give in to high pressure sales tactics. Take the time to check for licensing and check out the company’s report on http://www.bbb.org to see the company’s complaint history and company history. Remember it is worth the time to do your homework before making any purchasing decision. It’s also in your best interest from local vendors. Not only does it help the local economy, it also protects you should you experience problems down the road. Keep in mind that a company from out of town is not likely to return to make any repairs or to make adjustments to your service. To see if an alarm company’s license is current, go to http://www.txdps.state.ts.us/psb or call BBB at (903)581-5704. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – Jury selection continues in Greer County District Court for the trial of a former warden’s wife accused of falling in love with an inmate and helping him escape. The fourth day of jury selection began Thursday in the trial of Bobbi Parker. Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs says the selection process has been slow because attorneys are trying to choose jurors who haven’t been swayed by pretrial publicity. Parker has pleaded not guilty to helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued at an East Texas chicken ranch in 2005. Dial maintained until his death in 2007 that he kidnapped Parker.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texans who want to catch catfish using only their bare hands would be able to do so legally under legislation approved by the state Senate. While budget negotiations were teetering on the brink of collapse Thursday, state senators took action to legalize hand fishing, called noodling, in Texas. Right now the fine is $500 for noodling in Texas. The bill would require “noodlers” to have a fishing license and freshwater fishing stamp. Enduring joking questions from fellow senators, bill sponsor Senator Bob Deuell, who has part of Smith County in his district, said he’s never noodled, but that the bill needed to be passed for the “noodlers of Texas.”.

TYLER — Robert E. Lee’s Mike Owens has resigned his duties at Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Director. Owens is retiring with the hope of reapplying for the job on August 1st. The practice, commonly as retire/rehire, will take effect June 30th. Owens told KTBB Sports that “I fully intend to reapply for the job.” He insists that there has been no deal made with the people at TISD guaranteeing him the position. He also says if he is not rehired he will seek to continue coaching elsewhere. Owens has been the head man at REL since 1996 and won a state championship with the Red Raiders in 2004.

TYLER — Tyler property crime investigators make a significant haul using the off road Yamaha Rhino Police Vehicle to search the median and roadside areas of Highway 69 South to search for stolen property. That follows the recent arrest of an Orange, Texas, man on suspicion of numerous auto burglaries. Investigators searched a 10 mile stretch of the highway on Wednesday and recovered various items that belonged to victims in auto burglaries that occurred this past Sunday in Tyler. Investigators recovered eight purses, two billfolds, two identification cards, numerous credit cards, and one passport. Police say a witness observed a suspect later identified as Brian Linscomb discarding stolen items out his vehicle window as he was leaving Tyler. Investigators advise they will notify the victims if their property was recovered as soon as possible.

Linscomb is suspected in numerous auto burglaries in East Texas, Southeast Texas, and Louisiana; he was arrested Sunday in Lufkin. On Sunday, Tyler police responded to over 30 auto burglaries that occurred during daytime hours in the city of Tyler. The suspect was later identified as Linscomb, 44. He’s suspected of breaking into vehicles at Willowbrook Country Club, Bergfeld Park, Faulkner Park, Rose Rudman Park, Woodcreek Center, Broadway Square Mall, Children’s Park, Tyler Tennis and Swim, and Tyler Internal Medicine.

A witness followed Linscomb’s vehicle down 69 South towards Mixon. Law enforcement authorities were notified of the information on Linscomb’s vehicle and determined that he was wanted out of Orange, Texas, for felony auto burglary, with a $100,000 bond. Linscomb was spotted in Lufkin Sunday night and was taken into custody by authorities. Linscomb is a suspect in over 92 cases of auto burglary in Louisiana. Tyler investigators are checking into the incidents that occurred Sunday in Tyler, and charges are pending.